Urginea, I.C.A. Urginea.
Related entry: Scilla
Synonym.—Indian Squill.
Urginea consists of the younger bulbs of Urginea indica, Kunth, or of Scilla indica, Baker (Ledebouria hyacinthina, Roth.), (N.O. Liliaceae), plants indigenous to India. The bulbs are collected soon after the plant has flowered, and kept in a cool place. The bulbs of Urginea indica are rounded, conical, or pear-shaped and about the size of an onion. They are whitish in colour and tunicated, the fleshy scales completely enveloping one another. The drug has a bitter acrid taste. The bulbs of Scilla indica are smaller than those of Urginea indica, pear-shaped and imbricated. The outer scales are brown and dry, but the inner are fleshy and yellowish-white. The drug has an unpleasant odour, and bitter, acrid taste.
Constituents.—The constituents of urginea appear to be similar to those of squill, viz., the toxic glucosides scillipicrin and scillitoxin, and the inactive glucoside scillin. The carbohydrate sinistrin is probably also present, together with mucilage, and calcium oxalate in acicular crystals.
Action and Uses.—Urginea is official in India and the Eastern Colonies for use in place of squill, and preparations comparable with those of squill are made.
PREPARATIONS.
- Acetum Urgineae, I.C.A.—VINEGAR OF URGINEA.
- Urginea, bruised, 12.5; diluted acetic acid, sufficient to produce 100. Exhaust the urginea by maceration, as directed in the case of Acetum Scillae. Dose.—½ to 2 mils (10 to 30 minims).
- Oxymel Urgineae, I.C.A.—OXYMEL OF URGINEA.
- Urginea, bruised, 7.50; acetic acid, 7.50; distilled water, 24; clarified honey, liquefied, 81. Mix the acid with the water, and digest the drug in the mixture for seven days; then pour off the liquid, press the residue, filter the mixed liquids, which should measure about 30, and add sufficient honey to the filtrate to produce, when mixed, a preparation of specific gravity 1.320. Dose.—2 to 4 mils (½ to 1 fluid drachm).
- Pilula Urgineae Composita, I.C.A.—COMPOUND URGINEA PILL.
- Urginea, dried, and in powder, 25; ginger, in powder, 20; ammoniacum, in powder, 20; hard soap, in powder, 20; syrup of glucose, a sufficient quantity. Mix to form a mass. Dose.—2 ½ to 5 decigrams (4 to 8 grains).
- Syrupus Urgineae I.C.A.—SYRUP OF URGINEA.
- Vinegar of urginea, 34.48; refined sugar, 65.52. Add the sugar to the vinegar of urginea and dissolve by the aid of gentle heat. The resulting syrup should weigh 100. Dose.—2 to 4 mils (½ to 1 fluid drachm).
- Tinctura Urgineae I.C.A.—TINCTURE OF URGINEA.
- Urginea, bruised, 20; alcohol (60 per cent.), 100. Macerate for seven days, and complete the maceration process. Dose.—3 to 10 decimils (0.3 to 1.0 milliliters) (5 to 15 minims)
